Special Youth Elk Hunting Opportunities Are Widely Available

Hunting

Friday, October 18, 2002

Young hunters will have special elk hunting opportunities available to them in 78 hunting districts across Montana beginning on opening day of the rifle season, Oct. 27.

"This is a unique opportunity for an adult hunter to take a kid hunting," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim. "These hunts are for young sons and daughters, grandchildren and even the neighbor kids next door who have taken Montana's hunter education course, but who don't have anyone to take them hunting."

An adult who is at least 21 years of age must accompany youngsters participating the special youth hunt.

Aasheim said most antlerless elk hunting opportunities are only offered through Montana's annual special-license drawings.The new youth opportunities are designed to give kids a better chance to harvest an elk in areas where elk populations are high.

"This is a great chance for kids to enjoy the fall and experience a Montana elk hunt with an extra chance at bagging one of the state's prized big game animals, " Aasheim said.

To address the possibility of unethical, competitive hunting situations, the FWP Commission recently removed a portion of Hunting District 313, the often-congested Decker Flats area near Gardiner, from the special youth hunt offering.

No special permit is required to hunt antlerless elk in the districts listed above by 12 to 14 year-olds.A youth elk license is required. Resident 14-year-old youths who purchase a youth elk license may use the license throughout the season, even if they turn 15 during the season.